Loading summary
Transcript389 lines
- [00:01]
Announcer
Everyone wants to be stronger, not just physically, but in every part of life. But between confusing workout advice, complicated equipment, and trying to figure out nutrition, where does anyone even start? Well, to get stronger mentally and physically, go to Anytime Fitness. You'll get a personalized training, nutrition and recovery plan, all customized to your body, your strength level and your goals. You'll get expert coaching to optimize your results Anytime anywhere, any in the gym and on the Anytime Fitness app. And you'll get anytime access to 5,500 gyms worldwide, all with the right equipment to level up your strength gains and your life. So get started@antually fitness.com that's anytime fitness.com.
- [00:43]
Narrator
Audible's Romance collection has something to satisfy every side of you when it comes to what kind of romance you're into. You don't have to choose just one fancy a dalliance with a duke or maybe a steamy billionaire. You could find a book boyfriend in the city and another one tearing it up on the hockey field. And if nothing on this earth satisfies, you can always find love in another realm. Discover modern rom coms from authors like Lily Chu and Ali Hazelwood. The latest romantasy series from Sarah J. Maas and Rebecca Yarros, plus Regency favorites like Bridgerton and Outlander, and of course, all the really steamy stuff. Your first great love story is free when you sign up for a free 30 day trial at audible.comWondery that's audible.comWondery.
- [01:28]
Announcer
Podcast One presents the Steve Austin Show Classics.
- [01:31]
Steve Austin
All right, it's 11am here at 316 Gimmick Street. Ariane Andrew just rolled into the crib for you WWE fans. You probably remember her as Cameron. Welcome to the crib. How are you?
- [01:43]
Ariane Andrew
I am well. How are you?
- [01:44]
Steve Austin
Good.
- [01:44]
Ariane Andrew
Awesome.
- [01:45]
Steve Austin
It's great to see you again because I get a chance to see you on on the road every now and then when I show up at a WWE function. But I was trying to get into contact with you and you were out on the East Coast. What were you doing out there? Just chilling and visiting friends or whatever.
- [01:59]
Ariane Andrew
What do you mean? Back in the east coast when I was living there for.
- [02:02]
Steve Austin
No, no, no. When you were just. Just this past weekend.
- [02:05]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, you know, just hanging out, just getting away for a little bit. You know, just kind of like a decompress. I haven't taken a vacation in forever, so I was like, you know what? I'm gonna just get away for the weekend.
- [02:14]
Steve Austin
Yeah. Because I didn't know you're a Cali girl.
- [02:16]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [02:17]
Steve Austin
Born and Raised here, yes.
- [02:18]
Ariane Andrew
A Valley girl, actually.
- [02:20]
Steve Austin
Well, it's funny because you went to Cal State Northridge. And so did my wife. Oh, my gosh, you have two college degrees and as does she. But she went to Verduga. She went to Verduga Hills High School.
- [02:31]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, okay, so she's from California as well then.
- [02:33]
Steve Austin
Right, right, right. Born and raised. And I guess I'd make her a Valley girl, too.
- [02:37]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. I guess so. Yeah.
- [02:39]
Steve Austin
Hey, so let's go back to some of your younger days before we jump into the current day scene and what you're doing, what's just transpired with WWE and all that. I was just reading up on you. I didn't know you were active in track and field back in the day.
- [02:51]
Ariane Andrew
I was. I did that in high school for four years.
- [02:54]
Steve Austin
What were your events?
- [02:56]
Ariane Andrew
So I did the 4x4, the 4 by 1, the 400, and the 200.
- [03:00]
Steve Austin
What kind of speed did you have?
- [03:02]
Ariane Andrew
It was pretty good. But I will admit I was a sore loser because if I never got first place and it was like I would throw or like, the team, we wouldn't get first. I would, like, throw the baton and, like, have like, a fit and it would, you know. I mean. Yeah, I would definitely say I was kind of like a poor sport.
- [03:16]
Steve Austin
Yeah. But did y' all win a lot?
- [03:18]
Ariane Andrew
I would say fairly a good amount. You know, I mean, we weren't the best, but I mean, we gave it our all, so.
- [03:25]
Steve Austin
So when you decide to go to college, you ended up getting a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, correct?
- [03:32]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [03:34]
Steve Austin
What's up? Are you, like, a rocket scientist?
- [03:36]
Ariane Andrew
No, not at all. Actually, before wwe, I was working with autistic children, and I was about to get my masters because I wanted to become a doctor. And then WWE happened, so. Yeah.
- [03:47]
Steve Austin
So what kind of decision was that? Hey, I got a chance to be a doctor, but then all of a sudden, this tough enough thing comes along. Because back in the day, as you were going through college, what, Was college easy for you, or did you really have to work at it? Because, I mean, you really. I've always seemed very smart to me.
- [04:02]
Ariane Andrew
I actually really had to work at it. And it was hard, too, because I was taking, like, crazy amount of units and working at the same time. So it was. It was a lot. It was like, I kind of, like. I think I put too much on my plate, and I wish I actually would have just took less units so I could be able to really, really focus because I feel like There's a lot of stuff that I've forgotten, because if you don't use it, you lose it.
- [04:23]
Steve Austin
Well, you were working with autistic kids there for a little bit. My wife ended up being a special education teacher.
- [04:27]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, my gosh.
- [04:28]
Steve Austin
That being said, if you were gonna be a doctor, what kind of doctor were you planning on being with?
- [04:31]
Ariane Andrew
I actually wanted to work with special needs children. Yeah.
- [04:34]
Steve Austin
Interesting.
- [04:35]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah. And do, like, therapy.
- [04:37]
Steve Austin
And so then all of a sudden, I met you in 2011 at tough enough, way back in the day, and right before we turn cordon, we were like, wow, time flies by and you're only 28, you're still a youngster, but so for someone who's actively involved in track and then you go through college, you get two degrees, you're working your tail off to pay all your bills, and you got all these units that you got to study for, pass all your exams. Okay, before I get there, what kind of GPA did you graduate with?
- [05:08]
Ariane Andrew
Ooh, I would actually have to look that up, because I don't remember.
- [05:11]
Steve Austin
But anyway, you got two degrees out.
- [05:13]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [05:13]
Steve Austin
So my point is, how in the hell did you hear about tough enough in 2011, go through the casting process and decide to undertake this endeavor?
- [05:23]
Ariane Andrew
You know, it. It's actually like a backstory behind that story.
- [05:27]
Steve Austin
A lot of time for stories, and that's what people like to listen to on this podcast. Give me some stories.
- [05:32]
Ariane Andrew
So I actually originally was a part of a diva search. That's how it originally happened out here in California, actually. And I had submitted myself through LA casting, and I had went in and I was really honest. I was like, you know, I really wasn't an avid wrestling fan, and I'm like, you know what? There's no point to lie. And from there, they were like, you know what we want you to do Tough Enough. So that's kind of how that happened. And I was excited. I was ready to take it on. I knew that I didn't have the experience, but for me, I'm competitive, and I was like, you know what? Let's do this.
- [06:07]
Steve Austin
Hey, when you guys rolled up in 2011 on tough enough, what was your takeaway from that whole experience? Because I got a chance. And of course, there's that famous gif of you and I that's still circulating in cyberspace.
- [06:19]
Ariane Andrew
I just got one yesterday. Literally, there were, like, when Stone Cold wanted to give her a stunner after that, and it's like you with your hands up and you're like, throwing your. I Literally just got one yesterday.
- [06:33]
Steve Austin
And it was so random because nobody knew that we were talking. Well, I mentioned on a podcast, too, that we were going to be talking, but, I mean, they just happen. So random. But it's just that. Just me being so perplexed with your answer, and I'm at my wit's end and I say, who? And I've always given both those galaxies respect. It was just. I just thought she'd give me a classic like Ricky Steenboat, Randy Savage. So you caught me off guard when I go back and look at that rn. I had such a good time as myself, Bill dimatra, Stratus, Booker T. And we just really gelled together. But as I was going back and looking at some of the old episodes, we were pretty hard on you guys. So what was your experience from Tough Enough? You were the first eliminated, but I told you then that I thought you had a future in the wwe. I was right.
- [07:17]
Ariane Andrew
Yes, you did say that, but some.
- [07:19]
Steve Austin
Of your experience, because I thought on that elimination, I was thinking, man, what were you thinking? Because you were under pressure. There was a lot of duress, and, like, were you thinking, man, this dude is a real jerk?
- [07:31]
Ariane Andrew
No, not at all. Like, I feel like it's tough love. I mean, if. I mean, you have to be able to take. You have to be able to take the pressure. And at that time, like I said before, I wasn't, you know, an avid wrestling fan, and that was just, like, the first thing that I remember, and being like women and stuff like that, and I was like, that's what I said. And I was just like, you know, it's one of those type of things that has lived with me forever. But I don't regret what I said because I feel like if I wouldn't have, I wouldn't have taken the dedication to learn the history. And then now I see why people were so upset at the time. I was like, I don't understand. Or if it would have probably been someone else, people would be like, oh, yes. But, you know, it's because it was me. And, you know, I get. I still get so much heat from it and so much criticism, but I'm happy it happened because it's like, if you don't make mistakes, you don't learn and you don't grow. And it's like, it really, like, had me sit down, study the history and kind of be like, okay, you know what? I can see. I can see kind of, you know, where they're coming from.
- [08:27]
Steve Austin
When we first rolled into camp there, and we started going through some of the drills. And if you'll remember, Ms. USA Rima. And man, she. I always talk about it. Some people are just allergic to the mat. And she was. She was wonderful to me. Don't know anything about her or your gettings along with her or anything like that, but she was really. Not really coordinated, but she was allergic to the mat. She didn't like the bumping process. When all of a sudden we get in there and book and Bill and Trish are teaching you guys some of the bumps. What were we thinking? Because you were a newbie to this as well.
- [09:00]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [09:00]
Steve Austin
What did you think about that, Matt? What did you think about the training?
- [09:03]
Ariane Andrew
I felt so uncoordinated myself. I was like. I couldn't even do a roll. It was like. I actually looked back at a piece from that and I was like, ooh, that was so worthy of. I'm like. I look back and I'm like, whoo. It's like, what was I doing? I looked like this.
- [09:21]
Steve Austin
But it was a crash course. I mean, all of a sudden, you know, you go into something that you. You may have seen a little bit of, but you haven't done it, and all of a sudden, you know, it's kind of fish out of water.
- [09:30]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah. And people think of it, they're like, oh, it's so easy. And I'm like, you know what? I would like you to go take a bump and then tell me how you feel. You know what I mean? It's like your body obviously gets used to it, but even in training down at fcw, I remember Norman, he. He got so mad at me because I was trying to learn how to bump in a day. And he's like, you're not going to learn how to do it. He goes, just take this for today and then we'll keep. And it's like, for me, I'm like, I was so determined. I was like, no, I want to be able to have a match this first. This first day of training.
- [10:00]
Steve Austin
So what happened when you got eliminated from Tough Enough and then you rode off into the sunset? Did you go directly down there? What was called FXT at the time?
- [10:09]
Ariane Andrew
Fcw.
- [10:10]
Steve Austin
Fcw?
- [10:11]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah. So it was. It was a little bit of time. Then I had actually moved my stuff there, and I was there for maybe, like three months before actually starting, just because, you know, the show was still going on, so there was no way to. I mean, just, you know. So, yeah, then I started and I had so much heat. Oh, my. Gosh like, it was. It was like, people were like, oh, she's not gonna last a week. There's no way. Like, how do you think that you should be here and you deserve this? You know, it was crazy.
- [10:40]
Steve Austin
I always tell people, it's like, you know, as you can see, I'm still on my sling. I had my shoulder surgery exactly one month ago today, and it's like, man, at the end of a run, you can think whatever you want about the business, but it will chew you up and spit you out. Although you're enjoying it just on the backside. And this was just an injury that was just from the stuff I'd banged up and kind of done on my own. But you ended up in the business after you left. Tough enough for what, five, six years in the wwe?
- [11:08]
Ariane Andrew
I was there five years, four years on the main roster. Yeah, because it would. My fourth year anniversary was in January, so a total of five years.
- [11:15]
Steve Austin
Okay, so at only 28 years of age, I mean, you're still very, very young. But how do you feel on the backside of what you've been through? Body feel good. I mean, you look like a million bucks.
- [11:25]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, thank you. You know, it's. I always used to say, like, I feel like my body was. Because I'm. I feel like I'm a little bit smaller than some of the girls, and I always kind of felt that, like, little things would just, like, hurt. Like, you know, even now, I'm like. I see myself, like, you know, cracking my back or like, I feel like I have really weak knees. And I don't know if that's true from running track and in cross country, but, I mean, I'm so blessed to have only walked away with getting stitches one time. So it's like, you know, I can. I can't really say that. Oh, you know, I mean, you, like. I know you've, like, your. Your neck. You know what I mean? So it's like. I will say I'm definitely blessed.
- [12:04]
Steve Austin
You feel like your five years in business and through your experience and tough enough has made you a tougher person, physically and mentally?
- [12:11]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, yeah, of course. I feel like I've grown so much. I feel like I'm more humble now than I was before I got into the business.
- [12:18]
Steve Austin
Were you not humble before you got into the business?
- [12:20]
Ariane Andrew
I mean, not to say that I wasn't humble, but I think that I will say that I felt myself a little bit, and I thought, like, oh, you know, I'm just. And I feel like, you know, now that I feel Like, I've actually accomplished some things, which is the opposite for most. You know, they start off humble and then forget where they come from. And then it's like you don't even know who they are anymore. It's like they, you know, their heads up their ass.
- [12:39]
Steve Austin
I've seen a million people get on TV a couple times, and all of a sudden they think they're a big ass superstar and they get the big head. And I'm like, man, really, it doesn't last forever. And every now and then, if it's a young cat and I got a little hope for him, I'll pull them aside and say, hey, dude, you need to check that. Because this ain't what it's about. You got a long ways to go before. First of all, you just never act like that to begin with. But right now, I said, you better just keep your nose to the grindstone and settle your ass down.
- [13:07]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [13:08]
Steve Austin
How did you like living on the road? Because I told everybody at Tough Enough, I said, it's going to be one thing to win this contest. It's going to be one thing just to go through the training. And although you were the first eliminated, I knew you would have future in the business. I tell people the tough part was living on the road. The tough part was the business. Learning the business and existing and traveling around with a bunch of people. Some of the greatest misfits in the world, some of the nicest people in the world. How did you like living your living your life on the road? Coming from, you know, your college background, Two degrees Cali girl, just chilling. And now you're worldwide. Easy, hard.
- [13:43]
Ariane Andrew
It's definitely difficult because, you know, you're gone. I mean, you know this. You're gone 24 7. You miss birthdays, you miss graduations, you miss holidays. And it's exciting in the beginning, but then after a while you're like, ooh, we don't get any. We are almost, what, 300 days out the year. You're going and you're going. You're just like, it's, it's a lot. And people think like, oh, you know, it's, you know, it's a lot that you have to go with the drives and stuff that people don't know, you know, the behind the scene things that, you know, they think like, oh, it's glamorous. You get to ride on a bus and you have your feet kicked up and it's like, no, not so much.
- [14:17]
Steve Austin
So, hey, what'd you do? Because back in the day, you Know, me being a guy, it would be this thing where I would just throw in my suitcase or two suitcase, whatever it was, down by the washer and dryer, and I just basically wash everything and just recycle it back in. Because I'm in a different town every day. No one knows what I had on the week before. And like, I'm on the west coast now. I'm on the East Coast. I'm wearing the same stuff.
- [14:37]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [14:37]
Steve Austin
So I lived out of my suitcase. But you are really into fashion, so would you just take all these extravagant wardrobes out on the road with you? How tough was it for you to maintain how you present yourself?
- [14:51]
Ariane Andrew
You know, I think it just ends up becoming like a lifestyle. Like, you know, if you. You know. I will say one thing, though. I feel like I'm in better shape now than when I was on the road just because I did, you know, I'm just not a morning person at all. So sometimes I have like that dedication to get up and like, go to the gym. I'm like, well, I'll do it tomorrow. Like, but it. I don't think it was. It was that. It was that bad because I'm not a type of person who spends all this money on, like, expensive stuff.
- [15:17]
Steve Austin
Yeah, but what about the clothes? Because I was. I wore that. Like, I said I wore the same stuff. Would you take different outfits? Outfits?
- [15:22]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, yeah.
- [15:23]
Steve Austin
Every week. So you would do that?
- [15:24]
Ariane Andrew
I would do that.
- [15:25]
Steve Austin
Okay.
- [15:26]
Ariane Andrew
I would for sure. Because, you know, like, in the day, like, for girls, like, images, everything. So it's like, you know, I never want to walk by Vince and then have, like, some clothes and he's kind of like, oh, like, right. So.
- [15:39]
Steve Austin
Yeah, but for you, just as part of you liking, I just.
- [15:42]
Ariane Andrew
I like to dress up and stuff like that, but I don't spend a lot of money on my clothes. Like, I'm a very. I like nice things, but I don't go crazy because, you know, you just. You have to always look out for the rainy days. You just never know when it's gonn happen, you know, when you're gonna need money. So for me, I like to save it is. I feel like you can still have look great, but do it inexpensively.
- [16:02]
Steve Austin
I was on your Twitter account earlier and it said WWE Cameron is your Twitter handle and it says Farmer. Yeah, wwe you just got released along with a couple other people. I talked to Hornswoggle just last week or two. How did you take this news? How did this come about? Did you see it happening?
- [16:22]
Ariane Andrew
Yes. And no, you know, it's horrible because, like, I read the blog sites and stuff like that, and supposedly they said one of the reasons. The reason I wasn't originally gonna get released, but I got released because of some controversy that I caused on Twitter that week. I don't know if you're. Pretty much. I had, you know, right back had made a statement, and I had said, amen, brother. And it wasn't so much talking about the pay, which is more so when he was like, if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will.
- [16:51]
Steve Austin
And.
- [16:52]
Ariane Andrew
And God, I feel like it's a long story. Do we have time to go into it?
- [16:56]
Steve Austin
We've got as much time as you want.
- [16:58]
Ariane Andrew
Okay, so let's just, you know, rewind. So, you know, last May, I'm a person who, for me, I don't want to just collect a paycheck. I want to be a part of what I'm doing. For me to kick my feet up and just kind of be on the sidelines, that. That doesn't work for me because I feel like I know what my value is. I know what my pros are, and I know what my cons are, and I know what I can bring to the table. Am I the most athletic person in the world? Am I the best, you know, wrestler? No. But I know that I have, you know, charisma, and I know what I'm great. I know what I can do on the mic, and I don't think I'm horrible, but I think I, you know, like, I'm not the best, and I can be honest with myself. So I had decided to, you know, step away, and I was like, you know what? I want to. I rather not come here, waste you guys money, and why I can, you know, go train and do all these things until you guys have something for me. So it was a decision that I decided to make knowing that there was a possibility that, you know, the day could come for me to get released. But kind of like, what right back said, if you don't believe in yourself, who else will? You know what I mean? So, you know, I went back down to, you know, nxt, and that was an interesting situation. I felt like I was doing things, I was improving my craft, but I felt like I was still kind of getting the short end of the stick. And I feel like I can walk away saying that I know I did everything. I was pitching stories from gossip to being a valet. And I was getting frustrated, too, as well, because I'm just like, you know, I know that there's something here for me, but I'll be patient. And I wait. And I didn't want to just come back and just do whatever. I would be like, you know what? I'd rather wait, you know, and so God, actually get, like, it's kind of, like, emotional now kind of talking about it, because it's like, no one knows. Like, Sorry.
- [18:54]
Steve Austin
All right.
- [18:58]
Ariane Andrew
Thank you.
- [19:00]
Steve Austin
Sorry about that. I didn't mean to go.
- [19:03]
Ariane Andrew
No, it's just no one knows. Like, people just, you know, you. You hear things and like, oh, she just wants to be here because she's famous. She wants to be famous and stuff. And just because I didn't grow up, you know, as a avid wrestling fan, like, when I got into this business, if you don't love it, there's no way you can do it. And I did grow to have a passion for it. So, like, no one had seen for that year, like, all the stuff that I was doing to get back in the game and just how, like, you know, nothing was working out. I'm like, I even to step back. I feel like that takes a woman to be like, you know what? I'm willing to give up my spot to go back down to NXT and to try to crawl my way back up. And so it, you know, I. I feel like I was torn. But at the same time, when it did happen, I kind of felt like that release as well, like, of. I felt like the mental drainage of, what are we doing? Am I gonna get fired? What is going on? I kind of felt like it was such a bittersweet thing because it was like, that's not how I wanted to. To end. That's not. I wanted to come back to show what I had worked on and the improvements that I had, you know, how, like, you know, the growth I had, you know, I can't even talk right now. My growth and see my potential where I could possibly be, because I did consider myself a valuable asset to the company. So it was definitely bittersweet. And as far as, like, the controversy I caused, I kind of, like, stood up to, like, the iwc, and I was like, you know, you can have an opinion. You don't have to like someone, but to, like, wish death on someone's family or say racial remarks and stuff like that, I just feel like that's not.
- [20:47]
Steve Austin
You were getting that stuff.
- [20:48]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, yeah. And, you know, and I mean, I feel like, you know, wrestling fans are very loyal, you know, period. They're very, very low. And that's one thing I do respect about them. So it caused a lot of controversy.
- [21:02]
Steve Austin
But sometimes they're so opinion, sometimes they're so opinionated they, they voice their beliefs or their ideas in very negative or very inappropriate ways. Yeah, if you don't like something, you can say it in a much nicer way.
- [21:20]
Ariane Andrew
Of course.
- [21:22]
Steve Austin
Like your campaign that, your anti bullying campaign that you have on your website. Ariane Andrew. Now, I just don't believe in that. I don't believe someone hiding behind an eggshell on a Twitter account or this, that or whatever and throwing negative things out of people in your position. Down there you go from the main roster, you go back down to Florida. Who are you dealing with? Because in my career I was fortunate enough at a time to come along 20 years ago, whatever. And when I first came into the company, I knew that Vince McMahon was my boss, but I didn't have a relationship with him until one day they were going to start giving me a push because of an incident that Habitat manifestation, Madison Square Garden concerning Triple H. Who was going to be the next guy to get the big push. So when I started getting pushed, my point is I started to form a relationship with Vince and so from then on he was my go to guy. You know, we would speak directly with each other and I got to know the man very well. So you and your shoes and I know Triple H is almost ahead of all talent now, but was he the guy? Was he the person that you would deal with on a day to day basis regarding what you were trying to do or did you have someone else being a female?
- [22:31]
Ariane Andrew
I spoke a lot with Mark Carano and there was a few times I, you know, I talked to Hunter and to rewind really fast to go back to what I did with the Twitter. The whole point of me doing that was to create heat because I was like, maybe this can start a new type of character, a heel character, you know, to kind of rebrand myself from the whole girl by. And that was my thoughts. Like, you know what? Just like you, you know, when you started you were the ringmaster and then it was like, you know, you, you, you were like, you know what? I'm gonna do me and I'm gonna become Stone Cold Steve Austin. You know, sometimes you have to almost kind of like if you're not getting something, you almost have to go and take it.
- [23:13]
Steve Austin
Agreed.
- [23:13]
Ariane Andrew
And that's kind of what I was doing, but all kind of backfired on me.
- [23:19]
Steve Austin
But you had a very articulate, eloquent article. Did you write, didn't post that on Your Facebook page about when you left and you basically told that story.
- [23:27]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, yeah, that pretty much what I'm saying.
- [23:29]
Steve Austin
How can people see that? Because I read it. I can't quote it word for word right now, but it was a very well written article about what you're trying to do. How can people see that?
- [23:35]
Ariane Andrew
It's on my Instagram and I have the link where it says my thank you statement.
- [23:41]
Steve Austin
Yeah, yeah. And what are you on Instagram?
- [23:43]
Ariane Andrew
It's arianiandrew.
- [23:45]
Steve Austin
Yeah. So anybody that just heard what we were talking about, it's a really well written article saying about what you're trying to do.
- [23:50]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. Like my journey, the people. People didn't know, you know, and obviously it's very, very lengthy. So if people don't read the whole thing, they don't know. Kind of like how I got from point A to point B from deciding to step away and going back to NXT and then what I was trying to do. Like. So, I mean, I would definitely say it's worth the read for people to read it because it's very detail.
- [24:13]
Steve Austin
Gave me a perspective of where you're coming from.
- [24:15]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [24:15]
Steve Austin
All right, so check it out. Ariane Andrews sitting right across from. And we're talking about life at wwe. You're listening to another classic episode of the Steve Austin show, only on podcast.
- [24:29]
Adam Kroll
Hey, it's Adam Kroll from the Adam Krola Show. Betonline is the world's most trusted betting platform and your number one source for online betting. From the earliest odds to in game live betting. Betonline provides you with all the action and the ability to watch and bet on games as they happen. With the largest selection of odds on everything from football, NBA, college basketball as well. BetOnline has NHL, MMA and championship boxing. All your betting needs in one place. Head to Betonline today to get in on the action with America's most trusted site for online wagering. So have some fun. Make these games and these events and these combat sports a little more interesting with bet online. Bet online. The game starts here.
- [25:34]
Steve Austin
You came over here to the 316 gimmick street 11am, showed up promptly at our badass red Mercedes. Gotta give you a shout out. You got great. You have great. You have great taste in cars.
- [25:46]
Ariane Andrew
Thank you.
- [25:46]
Steve Austin
Well, you came here early because you've got an acting class.
- [25:49]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [25:50]
Steve Austin
I guess that's gonna kick off round three.
- [25:52]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [25:52]
Steve Austin
So tell me about these acting endeavors because I'm very curious to see what you do now that you've left the business Stop that before I ask you that question. How come you never modeled?
- [26:05]
Ariane Andrew
If I had to do it by the book, I always say, like, I went to school and that I've always loved entertainment, always. So, you know, I've always loved it. I knew, no matter what.
- [26:15]
Steve Austin
But no one has ever reached out to you for a modeling gig or say, hey, I mean, you'd be a great spokesperson for this or some kind of makeup or whatever, mascara thing. You're a beautiful young lady. I just see you having the model type looks. I just don't know why that never happened. Is it something you never pursued?
- [26:33]
Ariane Andrew
Well, before wwe, I was pursuing, I was doing. I consider myself a Jill of all trades. I was kind of like putting my hands in so many different things because I feel like, you know what, you only live once, so why not do so many different things that you love to do? So it's like I kind of dabbled into it. But then, yeah, WWE happen. You know how that just kind of takes your whole. It takes your whole all your time. It's, you know, you're like, you have to eat it, you have to breathe it, you have to sleep it. So it's kind of hard to, like, do other things.
- [27:02]
Steve Austin
So now tell me about the. You pursuing the acting career, because back in high school, you're part of the drama club.
- [27:07]
Ariane Andrew
I was, yeah.
- [27:09]
Steve Austin
Since you were a freshman, that was something you always aspired to do.
- [27:13]
Ariane Andrew
I've, I've all, like I said, I've always just loved entertainment. And I actually started taking when I did have the time off. I was doing so many different things to help, you know, for what I was hoping to come back to help enhance me. So I was taking the classes to just help with, like, promos and in the classes, like an improv class, to be able to, like, be quick with my words and all that type of stuff. So it was something that I've always wanted to do and. But I never had the time. So when I had. Yeah, so when I had the time off, that was one of the type of. That was one of the things I am like stumbling over my words day. What is going on? That was one of the things I decided to do.
- [27:51]
Steve Austin
Tell me about this acting class. Because we were texting back and forth, trying to get the time set up, and you said, hey, man, sometimes this class lasts five hours. Yes, I dabbled in a few acting classes back when I first came to la and I didn't stick with them, obviously, and it just wasn't my cup of tea. But what are they teaching you? Method Stanislavski. What's the class?
- [28:17]
Ariane Andrew
So it's pretty much the first hour is improv. And then it's like you can freeze it. It's like a continuous. You tell a movie in that hour with how two people go up there and start it. And then after that she gives her feedback and then we do a scene study. So I have a scene partner. And then she gives us plays. So, you know, we rehearse it and then we end up doing. It's like sometimes like a 15 minute play where we just go up there and act like we're on stage and perform for the class and the teacher.
- [28:48]
Steve Austin
How have you been with the improv stuff? Because it fascinates me. Because in improv and although I've never taken any kind of classes, I mean, basically, you know, when you're having a conversation or skit with someone, it's always, yes. And you never put, you know, you never shut someone down. You're spinning off what they got and back and forth.
- [29:04]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly.
- [29:04]
Steve Austin
How have you been with the improv stuff?
- [29:06]
Ariane Andrew
I'm not gonna lie. I thought I was like, oh, I'm gonna go in here and kill this. Oh, my gosh. I get up there the first day and I'm like, I was like, I felt like I was the ish, but it's definitely getting better. And I, it's. I am enjoying it. Like, you know, it was. It's kind of like the scary thing. I almost, I'm like, oh, God, we have to start with improv. I love the scene study. Like, I feel like I kill that. So that's definitely something that I have.
- [29:32]
Steve Austin
Is, man, all of a sudden like, hey, man, I'm pretty good at this. And all of a sudden you have these savants in there. It's like playing tennis. If someone just throws the tennis ball, they just smack it back. It's like, wow, what happened? How can they be that quick? Scene study. Let's talk about that for a second. Because I've done my share of low budget movies. I don't care to act anymore. So I don't. But back when I did my first few movies, for me, it was all about, hey, man, all you got to do is just, okay, I'm Jack Conrad in the Condemned, which I never really wrote a bio for that character. And so all I thought was, know your lines. Just know your lines. And I thought I had to say the lines exactly where they're written. But in scene study, because a lot of people don't realize or many people do that almost. The Revenant I just watched. The Revenant was shot in sequence. That happens very rarely. So sometimes because of location and stuff, you might shoot the end of the movie before you get to the beginning.
- [30:22]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly.
- [30:22]
Steve Austin
Or sometimes you might start in the middle of the movie. So scene study is where you are at that particular time. What has happened already that you haven't done? What's gonna happen? How does this all tie together? So I never. I never took part in a scene study class, but it sounds fascinating. So how do you break down a scene?
- [30:43]
Ariane Andrew
You know what? Well, she. All. The first thing she always starts with is like, you have to read the entire play. And I hate reading.
- [30:50]
Steve Austin
See, I can't read because I got adding.
- [30:53]
Ariane Andrew
I do. And that's what I feel like. I do have ADD because I feel like I'll start reading, I'll be like, oh, well, let me go get some food. Fruit. And then somehow.
- [31:01]
Steve Austin
Or do you do this? You read, but all of a sudden you're daydreaming. So it's like you might have flipped five pages. Like, I don't know what I just read.
- [31:07]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. Oh, that is so true. That is so true. It's like, oh, I gotta go back and read those five pages because I don't even remember what I just read.
- [31:15]
Steve Austin
So. But break down a scene for me.
- [31:18]
Ariane Andrew
So, I mean. I mean, I feel like it's pretty simple. So, I mean, she gives us, like, a script from the play. We have to read the whole play. Which. I'm gonna just say it now. I haven't. For the scenes I've done, I haven't read the plays. I. And I don't lie. I'm like, I just haven't done. One time. I did lie, though. I'm not gonna lie.
- [31:38]
Steve Austin
One time I did. I'm not gonna lie.
- [31:43]
Ariane Andrew
And then pretty much, it's like we do the cold read first and, you know, to get a feel. And it's like. She's like, it's not acting. It's just. You literally are gonna do this as a cold read, which is very.
- [31:54]
Steve Austin
No performance, just reading.
- [31:55]
Ariane Andrew
No performance. But you end up still having kind of a performance because you're not just reading it.
- [31:59]
Steve Austin
Like, Right, right.
- [32:00]
Ariane Andrew
You know, monotone. Exactly. And then from there, she'll give you the critiques and tell you this is, you know, lay it on you, the pros and the cons. And then you meet with the scene partner. And then we go over and we do, like, a breakdown. So, like, we're gonna do this page. She gives us the feedback, we add a little bit more and then just keep adding to it and then getting her critiques and fixing or keeping what she likes and what she doesn't like.
- [32:24]
Steve Austin
So how long is this going to last? I mean, is this something that's just ongoing? Here's the thing. A couple of years ago, I filmed a little episode of a series on TV called Chuck. And all of the actors on that show are very talented. And one young lady and I were talking, I think she was 33 at the time, and she's already in the Actors Studio for awesome actors. And it was between takes, you know, I'm an extra pro wrestler, Right. And so she goes, well, who are you studying with? And I'm like, what do you mean? She goes, you're not actively engaged in taking classes? And I'm like, no. I said, are you? And she goes, of course I am. And I'm thinking she does. This girl, this particular girl had been. She was a child actor from 3 years old.
- [33:05]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, gosh.
- [33:06]
Steve Austin
So she's been doing this 30 years and now once a week or three times a week, whatever, she still studies with her group because she goes, it's a muscle. She goes, you go to the gym every day, right? And I said, yeah. And it was a great point for me to learn. That's why I still do this. I mean, she was at the upper echelons of acting and she's on all kinds of stuff. I can't remember her name, but there's so much that goes into it. And I was like, a little bit more work than I really wanted to do. Had I been 24 back in the day, or 22 and had my design set on, hey, I want to be an actor. Yeah, I would eat, slept and breathed it, just like I did my pro wrestling create, slept and breathe it, Neil. But after you get hit in the head with steel chairs for 15 years and travel all over the road, all over the world, it's kind of like a little bit different perspective.
- [33:52]
Ariane Andrew
Totally.
- [33:52]
Steve Austin
So if I knew it as a hobby or a pastime, it's cool. But for me, try to go and be Daniel Day Lewis or Leo DiCaprio. Ain't happening. So what do you look back to?
- [34:02]
Ariane Andrew
You.
- [34:02]
Steve Austin
What are you looking to do with your acting career? And have you gone out and done auditions yet?
- [34:09]
Ariane Andrew
So I feel like I've been torn because I almost feel like I'm still not done wrestling because I feel like I still have a point to prove.
- [34:17]
Steve Austin
Because that's just oh yeah, you still got the wrestling bug.
- [34:20]
Ariane Andrew
It's just cuz I feel like I didn't have the opportunity to show like the stuff that I learned and I feel like there's still people and, you know, the fans that do rock with me that still want to see like what, you know, my potential and what I was working for. And it's kind of like I'm. I'm so torn. But at the same time, I feel like it's something too that I don't know if I just want to put in the past as well, because it's something that I, you know, it's still. It's still so fresh. And it's like to have to think about all the memories and the things in the past year and everything that I went through, you know, it's just kind of like one of those type of things. It's like when something happens, it's like, do you just put it in the past or do you embrace it?
- [35:02]
Steve Austin
Okay, let's go back to the wrestling thing. Then you, you got the call that day, you got the FedEx, you got the email. How did you get the word that you were released? I don't use the F word. Fired.
- [35:14]
Ariane Andrew
Because I was. I was fired. I'm just kidding.
- [35:19]
Steve Austin
Okay. They dropped the bomb on you. What'd you do? Did you think, oh, those are, you know, well, this is a tough pill to swallow. What was your immediate reaction? Stunned.
- [35:32]
Ariane Andrew
So I was reading the blogs and they were like, they're doing releases tomorrow. So I'm not. I went out that night and then I woke up early and I just. I kept looking at my phone, I kept looking at my phone because I'm like, I wonder if I'm gonna be a part of those releases.
- [35:45]
Steve Austin
They have IWC or the blogs know that the WWE was gonna do releases.
- [35:49]
Ariane Andrew
The next day to get with no idea.
- [35:51]
Steve Austin
Okay, please continue.
- [35:52]
Ariane Andrew
So maybe there's a little insider. I don't know. I mean, they, they sometimes they're.
- [35:57]
Steve Austin
There's always an insider. It's a mole close to the source.
- [36:00]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. Either they're dead on it or it's like completely.
- [36:03]
Steve Austin
Yeah, yeah.
- [36:04]
Ariane Andrew
Like, are you effing kidding me? This is not even true.
- [36:07]
Steve Austin
So what happened?
- [36:08]
Ariane Andrew
So I see a text from Mark Carano and he's like, can you please call me? I knew it. Right then and there. I knew it. I pick up the phone, I call him and he's like, you know what? Hey, we're gonna release you from your contract. And he's like, you know what? He's like, but I'm actually kind of happy. And I'm like, wait, Happy?
- [36:26]
Steve Austin
I was like, you ain't the one paying my bills.
- [36:29]
Ariane Andrew
No, he said he was happy. He's like, because I've known the road that we've been on for this past year. And he goes, and I never, you know, I just not having answers for you. And it's like, I almost, you know, I'm happy in that sense. And I'm like, you know, I get what you're saying, but it's still a bitter because of everything I have gone through this year. It was like such a mental and physical roller coaster of a ride that I was hoping that all this. That I had did this past year was gonna, you know, I was gonna have a fairy tale ending, you know? You know, but, you know, give you.
- [36:57]
Steve Austin
A second shot to climb back up the ladder.
- [36:59]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. So I was like, you know what? I wasn't bitter at all. I was like, I thank you so much. I'm so blessed. I've had this opportunity. And, you know, obviously the day has come and the day that, you know, I didn't want it to end like this, but I thank you guys so much for having me these past years. So, I mean, I was still very like, you know, I mean, I'm not gonna sit here and say like, oh, f. No. Because I feel like it was definitely a journey and it's a chapter I can put in my book and now move on to the next chapter in my life.
- [37:28]
Steve Austin
So you handle a departure with class, but how did that rock the rest of your day? Were you, like, almost like. I mean, that would be. I hate to use the word surreal because it's over. Overused, but, I mean, that's. To me, it would take over your day. What else do you think of?
- [37:46]
Ariane Andrew
See, I feel like this. If would have happened to me a year ago, I would have lost my mind, especially because my personality is so strong. But I felt like I had over that course of the year. And plus, I don't know, I feel like I. So many things have happened this 2016, so I'm gonna be the first to say it here on your podcast. I was with my boyfriend, Vinny. We had broke up and he moved out. So that was one thing that had happened. I made a huge investment that I found out that was a scam, have some family stuff going on. And then with work, it was just like one thing after another was just kind of like hitting the fan. I was just like, whoa. So, like, I almost Felt like when I got the news, it's like I was almost kind of numb. But I had to go meet with my videographer because he was putting my reel together. And literally, it's like I knew I still had to go on with my day, but, you know, I took a little time. There was a few moments with texts I got that I had a few little breakdowns, but I was like, you know what? I can't let this put me in a. I have to keep pushing forward. So I gave myself that Saturday to just kind of be lazy and do nothing. But then Monday came and I was, you know, hitting the ground running.
- [38:53]
Steve Austin
Hey, you know when I rode off in the sunset after my match with the Great one, the Rock at WrestleMania 19 and I had to get out of the business, and it's for my health reasons. My neck was in a bad way, and so it was time for me to ride off the sunset. That was a tough pill to swallow. And it really took me. I always tell people it took me about three years to get over that. And so I just sat around in San Antonio and did a lot of Honda fishing and drinking. I tell people that. That's my story anyway. I come to grips with it. But so then I said, hey, man, I got to go do something else. And the point I'm trying to make is to ask you, because, you know wrestling, because now there's so many more women in the business, because it's not divas anymore, but there's more women wrestlers than there's ever been. Yeah, but it's still a male dominated business. So back in the day, you know, when I first got in, there was only a few women, you know, that were in the ring and had some valets and stuff like that, but all the boys, the point I'm trying to make is when they get out of the business, they're still stuck in the business. So a lot of guys, because it's still in their blood, will just go down to independent level and they'll pursue that for as long as they can, or they'll get on the appearance loop because they can get a payday doing that. But very few return to a regular way of living. If I was to go back to the old job I had before I got into the business, I was driving a forklift. But after you travel around the world for 15 years, you don't want to get back on that forklift. With all due respect, I was manual labor extraordinaire before I got into business, so. But now you at 28 years of age. You still, what, you're telling me you still have wrestling in your blood?
- [40:29]
Ariane Andrew
I do, but, you know, and it's funny because I've always gotten knocked for this because I've always put. I've always put my fingers in music, and everyone's always kind of like, oh, you don't love it. It's like, why can't you have more than one passion? So for me, I mean, it's like I said, I'm still debating if that's something that I wanted. Want to do. But as far as other things, like, things are already moving in, like, a different direction, and I don't want to just get stuck in one category because, you know, sometimes, I mean, no disrespect, you just get stuck as being a wrestler and that's. And that's it. And that's just how people view you. I feel like, you know, there's more layers, you know, to me than that. I'm just. I consider myself putting my hands. I mean, I've always been a businesswoman, so I consider myself an entrepreneur. You know, I was signed with a commercial agent that I actually just fired. So I'm about to sign with another agency, and I'm just going to kind of see where things go. I'm just going to kind of have my hands in so many different things.
- [41:29]
Steve Austin
Have you ever considered. My wife went to the same college as you. She has two degrees as well, and she was a special education teacher. Have you ever thought with your background and your passion for helping special needs children. Special needs children. Have you ever considered going back to college and getting that doctorate because you're still only 28?
- [41:50]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah, I've thought about it, but it's something that I wouldn't do right this second because I would take. Take so much time and dedication.
- [41:56]
Steve Austin
Well, absolutely. And make that commitment. You're all in. And there's no, there's nothing on the periphery for that.
- [42:01]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. So. But I. That's why, like, for instance, I did the anti bullying campaign and I used music through that to expressing, like, without being like, hey, don't do this, but in a fun way to say, you know what, love the skin you're in. You know what I mean? And be happy for, you know, the person that you are. So, I mean, there's always different ways to, like, you know, still be able to be in that circle without having to go back and get my degrees. I mean, but hey, like you said, I'm 28 years old. There's who's. Who's to say if I, you know, decide to go back one day.
- [42:31]
Steve Austin
Okay, going back from your drama class beginnings in high school. Now it's taking acting lessons and from what you learned and tough enough and then going down to Florida, learning the business, getting on the road. How do you feel your, your chops or your instincts are for acting versus what they were for wrestling?
- [42:49]
Ariane Andrew
What do you mean?
- [42:50]
Steve Austin
I mean, do you feel like you're more inclined for acting? I mean, do you feel natural at it? Whereas you didn't feel natural about wrestling? You know, when you first got in, it was so foreign to you.
- [42:59]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah, it was like, oh my. I feel like I have always had like a raw talent. And you know, it's actually funny, the first audition I did go to back like, I want to say maybe a month ago, they didn't choose me for the part, but they were like, we like you. We think you're a raw talent and we want to write you in for. It's like for a web series.
- [43:20]
Steve Austin
Right.
- [43:21]
Ariane Andrew
And so I do feel like it's something that is like really natural. I mean, of course, anything practice makes perfect and you can become really good at something. But it is definitely, I feel like a natural thing that is just like I can just kill it.
- [43:34]
Steve Austin
When you go to an audition, the few I went to, I sucked. I freely admit it. It's the process. And you know, I never got a part. I auditioned for the part. The movies I did were offered to me. Those are low budget movies. Under the condemned through wwe. That was just because of my name and based off the stone cold character. Basically when you go. And so at the end, I think the last, I can't remember the last audition I went to, but I went in with the attitude like, hey, you know what, I don't care if I get this part or not. So I'm just going there and wing it and then, then I won't be nervous. Well, I tried to go in there with that attitude, but then all of a sudden you got the guy reading running the camera, the casting lady and the dude I was reading my lines with. And all of a sudden they send you like two sides so you don't know who this character is and they make you sign a piece of paper. So you got a kayfabe the script. You can't send it to nobody about it. So you go in there and you do this process. I absolutely sucked at it. Are you any good at the audition process? Because, and I'll say it, I'm stone cold Steve Austin. If I gotta go audition for a movie. I'm a little bit nervous. You put it. Put me out of my own element in a wrestling ring with a microphone in my hand or in front of a bunch of cats out there. Broken skull challenge. You got a red light running, I'm your guy. But in an audition, not so much.
- [44:53]
Ariane Andrew
How you on audition, the first one, that's the one I actually had went to, and it had been for, like, years since I did an audition. And that's the one I feel like I was like, oh, I did totally, like, at the bed. That's the one. They were like, we didn't choose you for the part, but we want to write you in. So it's just like, I guess we're our own worst critics about how, you know. But for me, I feel. I felt. I mean, of course, I'm a little nervous because I feel like if you don't have any nerves and it's like, something's not right, you know? But I definitely would say getting in the ring made me. Makes me way more nervous just because, like, I'm so scared of, like, you know, because people already have, like, their eye, you know, people always had their eyeballs ready for me to up, like, see, I told you so she sucks. So for wrestling, it was so much more, like, scary.
- [45:38]
Steve Austin
Right.
- [45:39]
Ariane Andrew
Like, to not mess up.
- [45:40]
Steve Austin
Who was directly working with you down there? Was it Norman Smiley and FIT Family and Top? Well, most everybody know, I think is gone down there. I know Norman's still there.
- [45:49]
Ariane Andrew
You talk about at NXT right now. And when I was down.
- [45:52]
Steve Austin
Yeah, when you were down there, it.
- [45:53]
Ariane Andrew
Was Sarah Cerro Do Ray.
- [45:55]
Steve Austin
Okay, but what about first time we.
- [45:56]
Ariane Andrew
Went down there, it was. It was mainly Norman.
- [45:58]
Steve Austin
Okay.
- [45:59]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [46:00]
Steve Austin
So he's a great hand.
- [46:01]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, yeah.
- [46:02]
Steve Austin
So you never got a chance to work with FIT? Because I know Fitz directly involved with a lot of the women's mansions.
- [46:08]
Ariane Andrew
Yes. Up on the road. So when I would ask, you know, before going back down to developmental, I would actually ask to have extra practice before, like, one of the live events, and he would be. He was usually the person there who would. Who would help out. Yeah, I'm trying to think who else. There was a few times where Johnny, if Johnny was on the road, it just depends on who the producer was for that live event match.
- [46:28]
Steve Austin
So once you got out there on TV and I saw a couple of your smackdown matches, are you in the moment and you're just worried about the task at hand, or were you in your head and you say, hey, am I Doing the right thing. Where were you? What was your comfort level once that bell rang and y' all started taking care of business inside the ring in front of a live crowd?
- [46:46]
Ariane Andrew
Did you feel at home in the beginning? It was like, oh, my God. I was so in my head because, a. I was like, I don't even know what the f. I'm doing because I haven't had any training, so I'm like. And then on top of that, it's like, my tag team partner time was Trent, who can. Is so damn athletic. So I'm like, me next to her. I just look like complete dog. So originally it was like, oh, my gosh. But then as I got more comfortable, it was like I was just having fun. Especially I felt a hill. Just being a hill just comes so much more natural, and I feel like you can just have so much more fun with that. So, like, towards the end of my career, I felt like I was like, I got this. Like, this is exciting. It's like when you can actually. When you're not sitting well, you know, obviously I'm nervous walking down and being like, okay. But then once the bell rings, when you can actually, like, absorb it, take it in and be able to see the crowd, it's like, such an amazing feeling compared to when you're just in your head thinking, like, it's like you can't enjoy it.
- [47:40]
Adam Kroll
You're listening to another classic episode of.
- [47:42]
Steve Austin
The Steve Austin show, only on podcast one.
- [47:50]
Narrator
This is a story that begins with a dying wish.
- [47:53]
Steve Austin
One thing I would like you to do.
- [47:56]
Narrator
My mother's last request that my sister and I finish writing the memoir she'd started about her German childhood when her father designed a secret super weapon for Adolf Hitler.
- [48:08]
Steve Austin
X, N C.
- [48:11]
Narrator
My grandfather, Robert Lesser, headed the Nazi project to build the world's first cruise missile, which terrorized millions and left a legacy that dogged my mother like a curse.
- [48:24]
Ariane Andrew
She had some secrets.
- [48:25]
Steve Austin
Mom had some secrets.
- [48:27]
Narrator
I'm Suzanne Rico. Join my sister and me as we search for the truth behind our grandfather's work and for the first time, face the ghosts of our past.
- [48:38]
Ariane Andrew
Who is he?
- [48:40]
Narrator
Listen to the man who calculated death. Available now wherever you get your podcasts.
- [49:02]
Steve Austin
You also got a chance to be what part? 2 seasons of diva.
- [49:05]
Ariane Andrew
3 seasons.
- [49:06]
Steve Austin
What's it called?
- [49:07]
Ariane Andrew
3 seasons of total divas.
- [49:08]
Steve Austin
Total divas. That looks again, looks all glamorous because it's on television and there's a bunch of nice stuff hanging around in all the backdrops and the settings. And you guys are doing cool Things. How was that experience? Because you got a bunch of chicks. I'll just say chicks. Got a bunch of gals. Got a bunch of women, all beautiful, and it's called Total Divas. That seems like a logistic nightmare from a backstage standpoint. How was filming that? Was it fun?
- [49:36]
Ariane Andrew
It actually was a lot of fun. But I'm gonna be honest. Like, I feel like, for me, people only got to see 2% of who Ariane is. So that's kind of like the unfortunate.
- [49:47]
Steve Austin
Is that frustrating you? Is that frustrating for you? Because. And, you know, that all happens in editing.
- [49:52]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, yeah.
- [49:52]
Steve Austin
You know what you did? You know what? You were there, and then all of a sudden, this is what's edited. So then people only get what they see.
- [49:59]
Ariane Andrew
All of a sudden, you see me rolling my eyes, and I was like, wait, I didn't do that. You know, someone says something, well, you.
- [50:04]
Steve Austin
May have done it, but it wasn't all you did. And so it could be taken out of context. Oh, Arian's a bitch.
- [50:10]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. So, I mean, it was definitely a fun experience. You know, I was super excited originally about it because I was like, you know, I get so much hate. And, you know, you know, people just think, camera. I'm like, this is gonna be a nice time for people to see who Ariane is.
- [50:30]
Steve Austin
Like, why did they spin it? Did y' all have any kind of creative control in that process or not? Or just like, hey, this is gonna pop, or this is gonna make, you know, this person be this character?
- [50:41]
Ariane Andrew
I mean, yes, but yes and no. And I. And that's. I'm gonna be completely honest. That's why, you know, things kind of ended with that as well. They were. They wanted me to do some things that I'm like, I just don't feel comfortable doing that. And at the end of the day, like, I still like to look at myself as a role model. And I, you know, if it's fine if we have to part ways, because this is what you want at the end of the day, like, I want more in my life than just a reality tv. And there's gonna be. I don't want people looking at me in a certain way and just be like, that's how I'm gonna be for the rest of my life. So if that means that I can't be a part of the show, I'm totally fine with that.
- [51:19]
Steve Austin
So you would think that just based off what people saw on you and total divas, they'd think, oh, that's who she is.
- [51:25]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [51:26]
Steve Austin
Because it's funny, when I came here many years ago, I went to a meeting, and they thought they were meeting Steve Austin, but they thought they were meeting Stone Cold Steve Austin, the guy who's raised in hell. He's mad. He doesn't have a sense of humor. He's probably drunk. He's the meanest guy here. He might kill us all. And so it took me a while to break down that barrier and for people not to realize, hey, man, that was actually a character I played on tv. So sometimes it's funny when you do something, whether it's total divas or a character within WWE or whatever wrestling organization is, many people are unable to separate what they see on television from being the actual real thing.
- [52:03]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. It's so true. People are like, that's Cameron. You're just a complete bitch now. Can I be, like, a little bit, you know, a little bi sometimes? Yeah, but that's not me 24 7. You know what I mean? Like, you have to really do something to piss me off. I mean, everyone has, like, a little bit of a moment where they get mad.
- [52:19]
Steve Austin
I mean, that's absolutely. I certainly had my moments, you know?
- [52:25]
Ariane Andrew
So, you know, it's. It's one of those type of things. But I feel like maybe now, with me starting my new chapter, people can actually see who Ariane is.
- [52:34]
Steve Austin
So what do you do for kicks? What do you do for your hobbies, your pastimes? Because you got to do something now to occupy your time now that you're not on the road as much as you were. What are you passionate about? Or what do you do in your free time when you're not working, when you're not pursuing your acting career?
- [52:51]
Ariane Andrew
You know what? It's funny. I actually feel like I'm a workaholic. I feel like that's really all I do. And it's like, I don't give myself time to even really take a break. I mean, I'll go out with you, my friends, we'll go out and have some drinks, but for the most part, it's like, this is grinding time. Because it's like I still only feel like I have a short window to now move on to the next chapter and make things happen for myself.
- [53:12]
Steve Austin
So a short window because you're in an entertainment industry.
- [53:15]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly.
- [53:15]
Steve Austin
Time is now.
- [53:17]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly.
- [53:17]
Steve Austin
I mean, all of a sudden you can be. I mean, I'm sure you'll still look fantastic at 34, but when you get 34, all of a sudden, I mean, you kind of like, oh, she's too old. Now, chronologically, you're 34. You look like a million bucks. But in their mind, it's like, no, no, no. Got to go to the younger generation. Have you ever felt that?
- [53:34]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah, I mean, but no matter.
- [53:35]
Steve Austin
Don't you think there's a. Clock is ticking? It's like, okay, the window is here. Got to make it for the window closes.
- [53:40]
Ariane Andrew
Well, I mean, of course, with anything, just like with wwe, there's going to be someone who's going to be hotter than you, smarter than you, pretty. That's life, like. And I'm okay with that because I know that, you know, my little time of window is here. But like I said, I've always been a businesswoman and I've made investments and stuff that I know. Like, if this doesn't work out, I have so many other things that can, you know, happen and that I'm like, set, if that makes sense.
- [54:07]
Steve Austin
Possible you go back to wwe. If they gave you a call, I.
- [54:10]
Ariane Andrew
Feel like I, I would just because I feel like I have something to prove.
- [54:15]
Steve Austin
If another wrestling organization contacted you, would you consider doing something with them? Because you go over the major leagues and everything else is on a smaller scale. I'm sorry, but that's just honest truth of it.
- [54:28]
Ariane Andrew
Okay, so then you kind of took the words because I'm like, how do I say this without getting criticized? I'm like, you know, WWE is the be all of all.
- [54:36]
Steve Austin
It's, it's a big.
- [54:37]
Ariane Andrew
It's. It's. It's the bad daddy, you know, the big daddy. And so I'm always, for me, it's always about progression and growing and, you know, about kind of. I don't want to say. How do I. I don't want this to come off bad regressing, I guess you can say. And so no disrespect to any of the other independents or any of the other, you know, it's just. You know what I mean? So it's like for me, that's also too why I'm torn about wrestling. Everything now. Then again, though, I think I made, you know, just do it for fun or something. I don't know. But. And that's why I feel like I'm torn as well. Just because I feel like I look at myself and I value myself at a certain level and I want people to. I want to. I want to keep it that way, if that makes sense. Does that make sense?
- [55:25]
Steve Austin
Yeah, that makes sense. Where are you at here in la? Because I know you out there in the Valley Yes, Hollywood.
- [55:32]
Ariane Andrew
Now I'm in North Hollywood.
- [55:33]
Steve Austin
How you like it out there?
- [55:35]
Ariane Andrew
I, you know, it's. My mom calls it the Fake Valley because I'm originally from Granada Hills and North Hollywood is still considered the Valley because I like the Valley. But she's like, no, it's not. Because it's the Fake Valley, because it's like, right close to LA. I love it. It's, you know, it's a NoHo arts district. So it's like you get a lot of people who are like dancers, hipsters. It's a cool little.
- [55:58]
Steve Austin
Do you get out in the scene? Because every now. And the few things that I will do, like, they'll have, oh, we're having the wrap party in North Hollywood or just somewhere over in that area. And I dig Hollywood. If I'm driving through there in the daytime and I can get in and out before traffic hits me, because I talk about on my podcast all the time how I hate traffic. But I'm not a night guy. I'm a homebody. So do you get out in it? Are you one of the party people? You do all the functions and get out there and socialize?
- [56:24]
Ariane Andrew
I actually was just at a function yesterday. Cynthia Bailey from the Real Housewives of Atlanta had a launch of her purse. And so I went to the. I used to have a PR too, which we said. We, you know, we parted ways. I won't get into that. That was an interesting situation, but it depends on what it's for. You know what I mean? Like, if it's a friend's birthday, I almost kind of feel like I'm doing things backwards because I jumped into school so quickly, then my career happened that I really didn't do the partying. I feel like now I'm doing it backwards. And I've been like, going out and actually partying and living. But it's been great because I feel like I didn't get that. So it's like I'm doing everything a little bit backwards.
- [57:05]
Steve Austin
Hey, how's your bull detector? Because out here in Hollywood and going into the acting thing, with everything you've learned in wwe, being around a business, I feel like the wrestling business is just a parallel of the movie business. Totally entertainment in general, but the movie business. But the movie business is much greater. Greater level. But, man, I remember when I first came out and you'd take a meeting and people say, oh, man, I can't believe that we hadn't done nothing with you, and here's a couple of scripts and we got to do something together. So you're driving home with three scripts in your car and thinking, man, I just got some movies. This is easy. No, not so fast. Now, my point, Aria, is I could smell bullshit a mile away. I know something's real and ain't real. Are you on the same page?
- [57:44]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, yeah, of course. I mean, the thing that I almost hate about la, it's like. Like everyone is a singer, rapper, producer, director. Like, it's so refreshing to actually meet people who say that they're even though I know that kind of sounds cliche. Cause it's like, now that I'm going into acting, but I consider myself more of an entrepreneur than. I would never say actress.
- [58:03]
Steve Austin
Right.
- [58:04]
Ariane Andrew
I would say entrepreneur. It's. Yeah. You get so many people who are like, I have this. Or, you know, or people who like to throw out. Well, I'm a director. And I'm like, okay, great. Who cares? Like, you know what I mean? I don't know. It's like. Or everyone thinks that they're somebody out here in la.
- [58:18]
Steve Austin
Yeah. But, yeah, you got to be able to navigate and find out who's real, who ain't real.
- [58:23]
Ariane Andrew
I feel like I may just one day, like, blow off someone who's of important just because I'm so used to the bullshit. It's like, do you know, I didn't.
- [58:29]
Steve Austin
Know that was George Lucas. I didn't know what he looked like. I just saw some old dude. I just missed out on a part of my life.
- [58:34]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. So. But I'm pretty good with, you know, figuring out who's bull and who's. Who's legit.
- [58:41]
Steve Austin
Here's the thing. This is home for you. My home is in Texas. Although I've been out here for 12 years, I dig the SoCal weather and I dig L. A. For what it is because it's able to facilitate business. You're here, and because you're a Cali girl, you live in town, so we're able to talk in person. But for me, you know, I still, man, I'm like, I love the weather, but I'm kind of, like, done with LA to a degree, just because of the traffic and I don't have to deal with the people because I just do my own thing with my reality shows, so that's not really a factor for me. But I kind of miss Texas. You're from here, so this is home.
- [59:15]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [59:15]
Steve Austin
And so, you know, and it's weird because when we. When we fly back now from Texas, I'm like, you know, we left the Ranch. It was my favorite place in the world. But this right now is home. I'm looking at exit strategy for you. There really is no exit strategy because this is home and you're at home.
- [59:32]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly.
- [59:32]
Steve Austin
And that's a good thing, I think, because, like I'm ready to get out, but I still got business to take care of that I can't take care of in San Antonio.
- [59:40]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah. You know, I. The thing I will say though, I hate and no disrespect to you because I know you're a transplanter, but I mean, because you're. No but no, you're awesome and you're a kick ass person, but people who do usually move here are the ones who give LA a bad name.
- [59:56]
Steve Austin
I agree with you 100%.
- [59:58]
Ariane Andrew
It's not the true Californians because we know what it is. So we're not about the bull. You. So you get people here and it's like, stop fronting, please. Like be you. Just, just be. Just be who you are. You don't have to put on a front. You don't have to act.
- [60:10]
Steve Austin
Yeah, I agree with you. A lot of the people that I've met out here are the. They're so full of or whatever. They're all, like I said, transplants. I never heard put a. Put like that. But you're right, most of the people that are. There's some hippies here, but I'm talking about. They're real.
- [60:24]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly.
- [60:25]
Steve Austin
Yeah. And there's other people come in and it's like. So people think California's full of crazy people. Yeah, there's a fair share of them out here, but they come from other places.
- [60:33]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. So it's actually rare to even meet anybody in California. Like, I mean, all my friends though from like high school stuff are from. From here, but meet like out and about. I don't.
- [60:44]
Steve Austin
Are they still out in the Valley? Are you like. My wife has friends that. From 30 plus years ago. Do you have a whole bunch of friends from high school? Like, I'm kind of a loner. My. All my friends hate me. I mean, they love me, but they hate me because I rarely return phone calls. I'm bad at texting back, I'm bad at returning emails. Do you have a lot of your friends that you up with that you're still close with because you spent five, six years on the road with WWE and you were gone?
- [61:08]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah, all my friends are still from high school and college, which is kind of almost like an amazing thing, but bad thing because I'm kind of an. I don't say an antisocial, but it's very hard for me to let people in, so it's like, to trust people because just. It's a. It's a. It's a cruel world. And, you know, things I've experienced in girls and stuff, it's just kind of like, who will stab you in the back? I'm just very. I'm very. Like, I would kind of say a little antisocial. Ish. A little bit when it comes to meeting, like, new people.
- [61:39]
Steve Austin
Hey, what about the locker room over there? With respect to male talent and female talent that you were traveling up down the road with, and all of a sudden you get the word you've been released, AKA fired. Did you get an outpouring of texts? Did your girls call you and say, hey, man, we heard the news. We're sorry? Or do you keep in touch with them? Were you close with any of the. The talent?
- [62:03]
Ariane Andrew
You know what? And that's probably one of the reasons why I'm like. I'm kind of like an outcaster a little bit, because I just always used to kind of, like, stay to myself just because I don't, like. It's just so weird for me to see someone be like, that's my best friend. And it's like, oh, stupid bitch. And saying all, like, airing all their dirty laundry. I'm just like, wait. So for me, it's like, to see that. I'm like, ooh.
- [62:26]
Steve Austin
Like.
- [62:27]
Ariane Andrew
But Trin and Eva are, you know, the girls that I were, like, really close and still really good friends with. Those are, like, my girls. But I did get. There's a few people who I didn't hear from, which one in particular I actually expected. They actually wanted me to get fired and stated it. So they were probably. It was like, Christmas Day for them. They're like, yes, that bitch is fired. No, I'm. I know that sounds horrible. And I mean to, like, wish someone's job is gone. It's like, that's an evil person that says what their character is. But, you know, I was just. There was one person in particular. I was a little disappointed. Like, I never heard anything from them or. But, you know, it's. It is what it is.
- [63:10]
Steve Austin
Well, you know, and, you know, on that note, you know, I've had a ton of friends backstage when I was around, but when I had to ride off in the sunset, you know, it's. This is not in the modern technology, guys, but we had cell phones, for God's sake. It wasn't like I got a million text messages, hey, man, sorry about your neck. We'll catch you down the road. Nothing like that. So it's a very competitive business. It'd be like a guy or gal in the ring and all of a sudden they might be ahead of you on the ladder and maybe main event and all of a sudden they go down or I would go down and hey man, that's just not opportunity for the next guy. Yeah, it's just a very competitive industry. God dang. What was going to ask you? Is that on the tip of my tongue? Oh. What would you say would be your most proudest moment of your WWE career?
- [64:01]
Ariane Andrew
That one. That's difficult.
- [64:03]
Steve Austin
I mean, was it just more rather than what you accomplished, what you did for yourself as far as coming from being a total rookie to the business and picking up everything that you did and having the career that you did when, you know, if you looked at it from just purely a wrestling standpoint, to be the first person to eliminate from tough enough, but yet to be shoot the only person to have a career.
- [64:26]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah. The five year run, first one gone and the last one standing. Well, not anymore at the time was the last one standing.
- [64:34]
Steve Austin
You got to be proud the fact that you had a run.
- [64:36]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah, of course. No, I mean, I wouldn't take that away. You know, I didn't go into, you know, WWE wanting to dance, but I mean, I was damn happy to have had an opportunity because it did open the door, you know, to get in the ring. So. What's that face?
- [64:51]
Steve Austin
I tell you what, man, when you, you and Naomi did that with Brodus Clay and the Funko Dactyl song, that was the best interest in pro wrestling. Have you always been able to dance?
- [65:02]
Ariane Andrew
I. I'm not gonna lie, I was shooting bricks. I literally had got a call from Kathy. I was like, did I? And I was out party. I was like, did I, did I accidentally call her? Or butt dialer? And I was like, okay. They were first like, you're gonna be, you're gonna do announcing you're gonna replace Brandi. Then they were like, I was like, wait. Then like, you're gonna dance? I was like, okay. Regardless if I wrestle or if I dance or am an announcer, I'm gonna the bed because I don't know how to do any of those. So I literally was like, hey, you know what? Fake it till you make it. You know, like I'm seeing you sweat. Exactly. So it's like, you know what? Just go out there. You're either Gonna sink or swim in it. And in wwe, it is a sink or swim type of business. It's like, you just have to go out there and put your best fit forward and just do the best that you possibly can. And that's what I did.
- [65:48]
Steve Austin
So all of a sudden, you get the call, and it's. You're gonna be one of the fucking actual dancers. How'd you handle that? Hey, man, I came in to wrestle, not dance.
- [65:57]
Ariane Andrew
Well, I mean, like I said, I didn't know what I was doing. No one could tell me. At first, I'm like, there's like, oh, you're gonna maybe be dancing with Brodus. But then I have someone else telling me, like, oh, you're gonna be announcing. So I'm just like, what? You know, I mean, it's something that I didn't come in to do, but it was an amazing opportunity, and I felt like I was very blessed because it's like, just because you may not start doing something that you want doesn't mean you won't eventually get to your ultimate goal. And I feel like it was just a door. It was just. It was baby steps. And I'm kind of happy it did happen, because if I had to go out there and wrestle, that would have been even. Even worse. Like, I feel like that would have been like, oh, my God. That would have been. The struggle is real. This. The struggle was already real, and that would have just made it even more real.
- [66:37]
Steve Austin
So you got into the business, and your goal was to go as far as you did. You get a call from Mark Carano, and now you've been released from wwe. My goal, back in the day, you know, when I was a kid, I always wanted to be a pro wrestler, because, you know, that's just. I grew up watching since I was 7 years old. And then after that, I didn't know really what I was going to do. And I was sitting there thinking, man, you know, what's going to replace the adrenaline rush, the testosterone, the craziness of the crowd, hanging out with the guys on the road, you know, drinking whiskey in the lounge and just that lifestyle? And then I ended up, you know, where I ended up? And I'm having a blast now with my podcast, my real reality shows, and all the stuff that I do now. So now going on to turning this next page. How excited or what's your mindset? Because for a male to get let go from the business, it took a guy named Paul Orndorff to let me know that Steve, there is life after wrestling, you obviously know that, but do you think what you're pursuing now, just guessing because you haven't realized it yet, will be as fulfilling to you? You or will. Will fill the gap or the void that the. The WWE can no longer feel for you. That crowd, that fun, that adrenaline, the lifestyle.
- [67:50]
Ariane Andrew
I look at it as like a. Like, so what am I. What am I trying to say?
- [67:55]
Steve Austin
Like, transition or cycle ending?
- [67:58]
Ariane Andrew
I feel like nothing will ever be able to fill that void because that's a completely. That's just a completely different world. I feel like it's those type of things that I will have to always just say, those were some amazing memories. But they'll never be anything that's like, the wwe, the fans, like, they. You know, just the way they make you feel and how loyal they are and just the type of business it is, it's a sports entertainment. There will never be anything like, you're right about that.
- [68:22]
Steve Austin
You hit it right on there.
- [68:23]
Ariane Andrew
You know what I mean? But it doesn't mean that, you know, the next chapter that I move to is gonna suck. It's gonna suck. You get what I'm saying? It's just. That was something that's amazing. Now it's time to do something else that's amazing and just have that as, like, it was an amazing memory. Now time to make even more memories and now keep adding on to the next chapter of my book.
- [68:42]
Steve Austin
So with this cycle ending for the. For now, maybe it'll pick up again, but. So how driven or motivated are you to find success in this next endeavor?
- [68:52]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, I am beyond driven. That's just always been me looking where I got to with WWE with having no, you know, experience and no background, like, for me. And I always. I like to say this too, like, when I used to get so much hate, you know, everyone's journey is different and how they get into the business. Some people, you know, have wanted it their whole lives and. And, you know, never can achieve it or how everyone's journey is different. But I feel like it's what you do with the journey once you're given it and how you take it, you know, and just take it and just run with it and put your heart, soul, your blood, your sweat and your tears in it. You know what I mean? I totally. I got passionate about that, but then I forgot what I was gonna say. Wait, what?
- [69:37]
Steve Austin
No, it was just. Just you trying to achieve your next goal or to, you know, be successful in another endeavor.
- [69:44]
Ariane Andrew
I def. I feel like I definitely will. Like, I am Such a driven person. And to me, no. Or getting. Or saying I can't do something just makes me push even harder. So I definitely know that the next chapter will be successful, and I'll just, you know, keep adding on to the, you know, chapters in my book.
- [70:03]
Steve Austin
And, you know, like, you touched across the point there where you know, maybe. Maybe you weren't like a crazy wrestling fan when you got into the business. I know there's a bunch of cats down there at the NXT or some of the people, some of the guys in the locker room who are just, like, real hard heads about. Oh, no, no, you got to be passionate about the business. You got to love the business to be successful. Hey, man, the fact of the matter is. Not everybody is. The fact of the matter is a lot of these guys and gals that they're recruiting these days just for these athletic backgrounds. The business is a means to an end. The business is a job. The fact that I loved it doesn't make me. It just means that it was a passion of mine. But if you're in it just to make a living, hey, study your ass off. Learn. The history of the business is not a strike against you. Just because you come from a different background and all of a sudden you get an opportunity doesn't mean that you're a bad person or, oh, they don't love the business like I do. Piss on that. It's all about what you make of the opportunity, not whether you grew up being a lifelong fan of the damn business.
- [71:01]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah, I just feel like it's what you. Yeah, if it's like, if you just are there for the wrong reasons, then I can feel like you.
- [71:08]
Steve Austin
Well, but what is the wrong reasons? If you're there just to get paid, I mean, and you put your heart and soul into it. It. You're still. You're still good because you got bills to pay.
- [71:16]
Ariane Andrew
I mean, I guess that's true, but then it's like, why not. Why do something that you don't love doing?
- [71:21]
Steve Austin
Well, you know, if you want to shout at the being on TV and the. The glory, and I would have never.
- [71:27]
Ariane Andrew
Been able to do it if I didn't become to love it. Because it's so much that goes into it there. I just feel like if you don't love this, it's like it'll be a miserable job for you.
- [71:35]
Steve Austin
But you didn't love it when you started.
- [71:36]
Ariane Andrew
Not when I started, no. But I. I grew to love it.
- [71:39]
Steve Austin
Hey, speaking of, we got real philosophical there for a second. So tell me about this acting class you fixed to go over there. And are you gonna do your scene study in your car before you go in there and do your homework?
- [71:50]
Ariane Andrew
Yes, because this week has been so crazy. I haven't even had time to look over my script. So I'm gonna have to, like, you know.
- [71:58]
Steve Austin
You know, you got to hammer that because here's the thing. You know how competitive this town is, and you come from an entertainment business. Business from wwe. But you know, when you go to a restaurant, damn near everybody waiting tables is trying to get a crack at the acting gig. And I feel like you could potentially have an advantage because of your vast television exposure over the last five years to give you maybe, you know, a little bit of a boost. But as you know, man, if you don't put the work in, you're going to come upon hard times or get a lot of.
- [72:29]
Ariane Andrew
Oh, wait, wait, wait. Don't. Don't take me. Don't. Don't take it the wrong way. I. I do. What? I mean, I bust my ass and I. Or. But I bust my butt. You know what? The dark side, we're good with studying, but this week has just been so, like, crazy with meetings and stuff that it's like, literally I haven't even had a time to pick up. And to me, coming here today was like, very important. I wanted to talk to you. I've been wanting to be on your podcast for like three years now.
- [72:58]
Steve Austin
We finally did it.
- [72:58]
Ariane Andrew
I know. We finally did it.
- [72:59]
Steve Austin
Hey, is there anything that we didn't cover that you want to cover or address?
- [73:06]
Ariane Andrew
You know, I would actually. Are you gonna ask me what my favorite match is now?
- [73:10]
Steve Austin
Yeah. All right. What's your favorite match of all time?
- [73:15]
Ariane Andrew
So I wouldn't. I don't have just one.
- [73:17]
Steve Austin
Okay, that's cool.
- [73:18]
Ariane Andrew
I have a few. And it's so funny when you. You actually spoke about it earlier with Ricky the Dragon, Steamboat against Randy Savage, Macho Man, WrestleMania 3. That was a pretty damn good defining moment. I really like that match. That's one of my favorites. I also have, I would definitely say. Hmm, I guess, if it takes me this long to think about it. Right. Well, because there's a few that I like. I definitely think it was a pretty kick ass moment when you guys had you and Bret Hart. We're at the submission match. That was a good match. Was that WrestleMania 13?
- [73:56]
Steve Austin
WrestleMania 13 in Chicago, my favorite town of wrestling.
- [73:58]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah. Where you passed out all that blood.
- [74:02]
Steve Austin
You see the acting chops here, Ari? Why? I'm not In a damn Oscar nominated movie right now. I'll tell you. I don't want to act. What else?
- [74:11]
Ariane Andrew
Let me think, because I have a few. But I would definitely say. I think I want to say Ricky the Dragon Steamboat. That's like my, that was. I would, I would say that's like the number one.
- [74:22]
Steve Austin
And that's an outstanding selection. I'm finally. I can say that. And I'd have to hold my hands up and like, wait, who?
- [74:28]
Ariane Andrew
Who? Molina versus Alicia Fox.
- [74:30]
Steve Austin
Hey, do you miss being on the road yet?
- [74:33]
Ariane Andrew
No, not yet.
- [74:34]
Steve Austin
You know, you're gonna have a little. You're gonna have a little bit of withdrawals, I think. Well, I don't know if you're pretty strong minded, strong willed person, so maybe you're so busy and you keep yourself occupied, you might have missed a thing.
- [74:48]
Ariane Andrew
Well, for me, it's like I've been enjoying the time home because it's like I've now I'm able to go to like a friend's wedding and catch up with friends and spend time with family. Like, I feel like especially like right now with my brother, he's going through so much. I'm able to be here and kind of like be like a mentor towards him, you know, to kind of get him back on the right track. So. So I'm actually happy to be home. But I feel like at some point I'll probably be like. But things have been so crazy lately. I haven't had time really to think about it.
- [75:17]
Steve Austin
That's cool because I always consider my time when I was on the road, man, I call it zombie mode because you realize everything that's going on in life. But I mean, your number one mission is just to get out on the road, go to the towns, make the towns, come back home for a day and a half. And then you miss the road, so you get back on it and all of a sudden 15 years flies by. Like we talked in the beginning, 14 before we start rolling sound. 5 years flies by and it's like, man, what. What happened? What just happened?
- [75:38]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [75:39]
Steve Austin
So it took me a while to turn back into a civilian, but then again, you know, I didn't have that next thing to go ahead and jump into, which you're already head first into the acting thing and everything else that you're doing on Twitter. You are we, Cameron.
- [75:52]
Ariane Andrew
Yes. Which I know that stay that way. I will definitely have to change that. I haven't yet, but I know.
- [75:59]
Steve Austin
Well, I was talking to Hornswoggle. He said there's been no pressure to change it. Didn't Mark Carano say, hey, you gotta change your Twitter handle?
- [76:04]
Ariane Andrew
No, no, not at all.
- [76:05]
Steve Austin
And you do have your real name up there to begin with.
- [76:07]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly. Yeah. And then Your website is www.arianandrewnow.com and Instagram it is Arian Andrew. Yes. And Periscope. And I'm just kidding.
- [76:22]
Steve Austin
Okay. We talked about your favorite match. You had a good one.
- [76:24]
Ariane Andrew
Wait, but wait. And I didn't elaborate on that. The reason why I really enjoyed that because even though Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan had that had the championship, I can't. Yes. I'm like, I can't even talk. And they were the main event. Those two were able to steal the show and it was like. And they were bid Carters. You know what I mean? So it's like a mid Carter was able to. To be like, you know what? We're just as good as the main event.
- [76:48]
Steve Austin
There were. Yeah, they. Well, here's the thing. I got an email from someone. It was a hateful email as we were talking about earlier on Twitter with all the people hiding behind eggshells and saying bad things. I got this one dude sending an email and how I always talk about that being one of my favorite matches. And they said, oh, Steve, Hogan and Andre were the main event there at WrestleMania 3. But you never ever give Hogan credit enough because you think you're a bigger star than him and he was a bigger star than you. And he goes into all this rhetoric like, no, you stupid idiot. The best friggin match on the show was Savage, Steamboat, Hogan and Andre probably drew the house. Savage and Steamboat certainly had something to do with it too. But yeah, they were the main event. But to your point, yeah, Savage and Steamboat stole the show. It was never me trying to take any credit from Hogan. He had a wonderful run in him. I've always given him his due, props and respect. And him and Andre. Yeah, that's money. So F you, you piece of trash. I had a lot of respect for damn Hogan, but it was Savage and Steamboats not.
- [77:52]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah, no, I could see you definitely got very passionate about that.
- [77:54]
Steve Austin
Yeah, I'm glad because I want to answer that idiot's email. He sent it in a couple of weeks ago. Yeah, I got all respect nor for Hogan's run. End of story. Next. What do you want to talk about before we shut this thing down?
- [78:05]
Ariane Andrew
I feel like I've talked your ear off today.
- [78:09]
Steve Austin
You have, and I've enjoyed it.
- [78:10]
Ariane Andrew
Yes.
- [78:11]
Steve Austin
And I'm glad I finally got to.
- [78:12]
Ariane Andrew
Hook up and talk I know it's been. I mean, and I was actually really excited because I haven't talked to anybody, I haven't done any interviews or anything. And I was like, you know what, let me reach out to Steve and see like if you know me, just maybe he'll let me do his podcast. I feel like it would, it would be just so iconic because I started my career with you and I'm ending my. Well, I want to say ending my career, but we're pausing it. Exactly. And I get to like, you know, discuss it with you. It's kind of like the. What's the word I'm looking for. The irony of it all.
- [78:45]
Steve Austin
And it also is like people, people always say, me, yeah, Steve, she was first one eliminate, but she's the only one who had a career. And I'm like, dude, I always said she'd have a career. And what also people never knew is every time we saw each other, the show, we'd sit there for 15, 20, 30 minutes, whatever, relive the old times or talk about current times. And we actually had a relationship as friends. So. Yeah. So all this time later, there was never any animosity. We laugh and joke about all the things of the past and always talk about everything in the present, present day. So for the people that didn't know that that's how it always. That's how it went down between us.
- [79:18]
Ariane Andrew
Exactly.
- [79:19]
Steve Austin
Wasn't like there was any animosity or hard feelings. People so damn presumptuous sometimes it really chaps my ass.
- [79:25]
Ariane Andrew
I know.
- [79:26]
Steve Austin
So you're gonna jump out in LA traffic? I hate LA traffic. Do you just chill in your car? Hey, you gotta ask me this? I hate. The other day we was coming back from somewhere and everyone on the road was texting in their car. You're not one of them texting drivers, are you?
- [79:41]
Ariane Andrew
Okay, I'm a person that's very honest. I don't like to lie. I liked. I like to keep it 100. I do sometimes. I know, I know it's against the law and I know it's bad. I know it's. And it's very dangerous. Cuz someone actually just a few months ago rear ended me saying, oh, I was trying to pick my phone off the floor. I'm like, you couldn't wait till you to pull over or stop. That's why you just rear ended the back of my car.
- [80:04]
Steve Austin
Yeah, well, see, the thing about it is if you pull up at a stop sign, if you pull up at a stoplight and it's in red. Then I think it's okay to text, but when the light turns green, then you gotta go back driving. Yeah, that's just my thought. So as you go out there, I'm concerned for your safety. Don't text. And watch out for the other idiots out there that are texting.
- [80:21]
Ariane Andrew
I am not gonna text. I'm actually gonna, you know, relax and listen to music. That's how I like my way of kind of like my zen. I actually don't enjoy traffic, but I like driving because it just kind of clears my mind.
- [80:31]
Steve Austin
And I love driving too. You listen to music while you drive? What are you listening to right now?
- [80:36]
Ariane Andrew
I like Pandora because it has, like, a mixture. I love.
- [80:38]
Steve Austin
Because I like Pandora.
- [80:40]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [80:40]
Steve Austin
Because I like paid for it. So I don't get the commercials.
- [80:42]
Ariane Andrew
I, you know, I had paid for it, then the commercial started coming back. I don't know what happened.
- [80:46]
Steve Austin
It's just because your thing, you didn't renew it. I got that little thing in the mail. I'll pay 2.99 or whatever it costs just so I can listen to commercials.
- [80:53]
Ariane Andrew
Yeah.
- [80:53]
Steve Austin
So what's your favorite Pandora? What's your presets?
- [80:57]
Ariane Andrew
I have trap music radio. I have tiesto. I have. I like to go between those two tiesto because then I get my, like, house music that I like and like different genres of music that come through that. Then I have like my little more of the crump music. And then I get different, but sometimes, like music that doesn't fall under that genre will come through. So like, that's why I like those two stations.
- [81:26]
Steve Austin
I'm still trapped. 80s and 90s. I'm old school.
- [81:28]
Ariane Andrew
Cool. Yeah.
- [81:29]
Steve Austin
All right, acting class. It was wonderful seeing you and wonderful talking to you.
- [81:33]
Ariane Andrew
Yes, it's been amazing. I'm so happy we finally got to, like, do a full sit down, catch up.
- [81:39]
Steve Austin
All right, this is Steve Austin. I'm hanging out. Ariane. Andrew has to ride off into the sunset and a red Mercedes. Good job.
- [81:46]
Ariane Andrew
Good talking to you.
- [81:47]
Steve Austin
Thank you for joining us. For another classic episode of the Steve Austin show, please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and tell your friends. Friends. For more Steve Austin show, go to podcastone.com that's podcast o n e dot com.
- [82:06]
Announcer
See what's screaming free all month long during Pluto TV's April. Ghouls get your heart pounding with nightmare fueling classics like Insidious and Bram Stoker's Dracula. Or tell test your nerves with haunting hits like Urban Legend and Don't be.
- [82:22]
Steve Austin
Afraid of the dark.
- [82:24]
Announcer
Pluto TV has hundreds of channels and thousands of terrifying movies, live and on demand. Download Pluto TV on all your favorite devices and start streaming now.